Cost of Living Comparison Between Amwaj and 'ali Cost of Living Comparison Between Amwaj and 'ali

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $623 in Amwaj versus $835 in 'ali.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,413 in Amwaj versus $1,311 in 'ali.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,203 in Amwaj versus $1,786 in 'ali.

Living in Amwaj costs roughly 25% less than in 'ali, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both cities sit below the global median: Amwaj 55% lower, 'ali 39% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$10.53 BHD 3.97

$6.70 BHD 2.53

57.16%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$31.90 BHD 12.02

$53.8 BHD 20.28

-40.72%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.76 BHD 3.68

$7.53 BHD 2.84

29.61%

Cappuccino

$4.07 BHD 1.53

$4.84 BHD 1.83

-15.91%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.09 BHD 0.79

$0.83 BHD 0.31

151.81%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.68 BHD 0.25

$0.30 BHD 0.11

126.67%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.77 BHD 2.93

$6.48 BHD 2.44

19.91%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$10.43 BHD 3.93

$9.97 BHD 3.76

4.61%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.48 BHD 0.56

White Bread (500g)

$1.07 BHD 0.40

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.30 BHD 0.87

Eggs

$2.33 BHD 0.88

Local Cheese (1kg)

$8.71 BHD 3.28

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.42 BHD 2.42

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$8.79 BHD 3.31

Apples (1kg)

$2.41 BHD 0.91

Banana (1kg)

$2.23 BHD 0.84

Oranges (1kg)

$1.87 BHD 0.70

Tomato (1kg)

$1.38 BHD 0.52

Potato (1kg)

$1.00 BHD 0.38

Onion (1kg)

$1.42 BHD 0.53

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.54 BHD 0.58

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.84 BHD 0.32

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$5.16 BHD 1.94

$5.41 BHD 2.04

-4.62%

Wine (Bottle)

$18.77 BHD 7.07

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$3.49 BHD 1.32

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.67 BHD 1.01

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$5.17 BHD 1.95

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$3.47 BHD 1.31

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$15.67 BHD 5.91

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.68 BHD 0.26

$0.70 BHD 0.26

-2.86%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$36.5K BHD 13.8K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$36.6K BHD 13.8K

$20.9K BHD 7,894

74.56%

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$129 BHD 48.46

$151 BHD 57.1

-15.06%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$23.59 BHD 8.89

$24.86 BHD 9.37

-5.11%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$65.5 BHD 24.69

$35.36 BHD 13.33

85.27%

Cinema Ticket

$10.71 BHD 4.04

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$480 BHD 181

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$13.1K BHD 4,954

$10.8K BHD 4,063

21.92%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$66.5 BHD 25.06

$50.3 BHD 18.94

32.29%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$67.0 BHD 25.27

$58.5 BHD 22.05

14.58%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$92.3 BHD 34.77

$89.6 BHD 33.77

2.97%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$119 BHD 44.76

$91.2 BHD 34.37

30.25%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,367 BHD 892

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$3,084 BHD 1,162

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$3,996 BHD 1,506

$3,759 BHD 1,417

6.30%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.21

12.72%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Amwaj: September 5, 2026

Last update for 'ali: September 7, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Amwaj pays 6% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.

Dining out at a mid-range restaurant: $32.00 in Amwaj vs $54.0 in 'ali for two.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

Amwaj vs 'ali: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Amwaj is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Getting Around, Sport & Entertainment. The 34% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.

Average pay runs 6% higher in Amwaj, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.

Dining out is cheaper in Amwaj – a meal for two runs $32.00 versus $54.0 in 'ali. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.

All in, you'll spend $623 per month in Amwaj versus $835 in 'ali – a 34% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.

Either city works on $800 a month, though Amwaj gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.

Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.

Safety-wise, Amwaj and 'ali are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.

Expats usually find Amwaj gentler on the wallet – expenses run 34% less than in 'ali. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.